Do we really want the cranky Frog back?
Spending more time in the community
Thursday, January 25, 2007 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Years ago, I lived on the forums on WC. Not just WC but on forums all over the place. There was a joke once that if you said my name 3 times on a forum, I would magically appear and havoc would ensue.
So why did I stop? Too busy? That's some of it. But a bigger reason is that I tend to not always be..the most politically correct guy around.
Or to put it another way, recently I got hooked on a new show after having multiple, independent people tell me I am just like a specific fictional character -- Dr. House on the TV show House. Not that it's a perfect fit (I don't think anyone would say I'm unethical) but I can be pretty cranky.
I'd say I'm more of a cross between Rearden from Atlas Shrugged and House. But it's still the same difference. I'm an evil, blood-thirsty capitalist. I've been an evil, blood-thirsty capitalist from day 1. When the first skinning sites opened, I was there.
Here's an article I wrote on the subject:
https://www.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=1&AID=136943
Another reason I was gone is that I felt WC2K5 kind of sucked. The ugly light blue look. The way the site was poorly organized or crashing or just plain slow. I just didn't like it.
And too many of the people hanging out were boring or at least boorish and elitist. I saw people being snide and rude to new users as if applying little bitmaps to your user interface is somehow an intuitive thing. So I stayed away.
I also didn't like how ratings were done. T-man and I argued about this. If you watch House, T-man is like Dr. Wilson (i.e. super nice). I'm not nice. I don't think most of you should be allowed to rate skins. I originally had it that only other skinners could rate skins. But it got changed so that subscribers could also rate which really bugged me. But once a feature is given, it's hard to take it away. But with WC2K7, we changed that. Now ratings are weighted. So non-skinners who have subscriptions can rate but if a skinner votes, it counts for a lot more in determining the overall rating. If someone hates that, you can start your own thread and complain there. Like I said, if I were total emperor and could turn back time, only skinners would be allowed to rate things at all. If I work hard on a skin, I don't want some random guy giving me a 1 and wrecking my rating.
Getting back to WC2K7...I really like it. If they can get IIS to quit crashing randomly (which is why sometimes it's really really fast and other times you sit there waiting 30 seconds) it'll be totally awesome. I love the bread-crumbs. I find it easy to navigate and much easier to write articles.
But we need to do more. We need to start following up on the Stardock failures of 2006. Admitting you have a problem is only the first step after all. 
So anyway, my question to you guys is, is WC better off with the main administrator face being the volunteers along with Jafo and Zoomba who are nice? Or do you think it would work out if I started to increase my presence again even though I'm kind of a jerk that should be locked up in a lab coding stuff rather than telling users that I don't want them to ever purchase our software again?
You can tell me the truth. I'm already in the fetal postiion.
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Reply #2 Thursday, January 25, 2007 11:27 PM
I always look forward to seeing you hop in and share your views.
Reply #3 Thursday, January 25, 2007 11:34 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, January 25, 2007 11:46 PM
Differing opinions & views are great but, for some people they believe that their way of thinking is the only way and you might as well hit your head against a brick wall.
Reply #6 Friday, January 26, 2007 12:06 AM
(J/K)
i think it would be cool to hang with a cranky frog....
Reply #7 Friday, January 26, 2007 12:09 AM
Reply #8 Friday, January 26, 2007 12:11 AM
Reply #9 Friday, January 26, 2007 12:35 AM
THAT was perfect.
Reply #11 Friday, January 26, 2007 1:28 AM
It would be just too boring without!!!
Reply #12 Friday, January 26, 2007 2:20 AM
Reply #13 Friday, January 26, 2007 2:53 AM
I actually like the fact that you're up-front about your personality, or the way you naturally are. What a drab old world it'd be if everyone was nicey-nice all the time.
The way that you "tell it like it is" [or the way you see it]...is a no-nonsence approach, and one that I respect in a person.
So, put this down as a vote of confidence...
Reply #14 Friday, January 26, 2007 3:33 AM
Reply #15 Friday, January 26, 2007 5:46 AM
As far as you your viewpoints on anything...as long as we can agree to disagree without reprisals and keep an open mind...we'll all get along just fine.
Everyone here comes from different walks of life and has different life experiences that relate to and form how we think and what we believe...that is something everyone needs to understand and respect. Just because you may or may not agree with someone doesn't mean either of you are right or wrong...just learn from each others experiences and at least try and understand and respect them.
"Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open."
I'm sorry you don't consider yourself a nice person...something you'll have to work on I guess. But I can't really say I've seen you say anything that would warrant me thinking you were not nice. Its your site...your baby...I can understand and relate to that...but you also refer to it as part of a community...so you have to treat it as such...it can't be a part time thing...either it is or it isn't...and if it is that sometimes means compromise.
Overall....this has been one of the best sites I've been a part...lots of helpful people here...most of the time...and the fact that the site owner is here. And I agree with you completely about how some people are treated in the forums. I find it extremely annoying when someone asks a simple question and gets belittled and treated as though they are stupid for asking it...not everyone is computer savvy...so if whoever is about to respond to a question can't say anything helpful...don't say anything at all. Posting a snide remark or even a smiley suggesting such just makes you look small. I try to answer the questions I can and if I can't I try to suggest something to try...but I always try to make the person not feel stupid for asking the question.
"The expert at anything was once a beginner." and "Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up."
As far as you being on site and in the forums...I don't see why not. As far as the politics...I try to stay away from those discussions...they usually end badly.
Reply #17 Friday, January 26, 2007 6:23 AM
| Another reason I was gone is that I felt WC2K5 kind of sucked. The ugly light blue look. The way the site was poorly organized or crashing or just plain slow. I just didn't like it. And too many of the people hanging out were boring or at least boorish and elitist. I saw people being snide and rude to new users as if applying little bitmaps to your user interface is somehow an intuitive thing. So I stayed away. |
Something has bothered me about this article and I came to realize it is tha above quote. I find it very strange that as the owner of the site and the company your reaction to all of the things you found unacceptable as mentioned above was to "stay away". Seems to be exactly the wrong thing to do under such circumstances.
Reply #19 Friday, January 26, 2007 7:15 AM
Reply #20 Friday, January 26, 2007 7:27 AM
You can be an ass, get your panties in a bunch, and generally piss me off (which does not make you a bad person). But I like and respect that you do it even though its not the best PR. You've set a standard that (as long as one is polite) any opinion is apprecieted here. That's good for you, me, Stardock, and the Wincustomize community.
In addidtion, you bring in topics of discussion and perspective that are often very interesting. I dig that.
So get back involved. I'll be waiting.
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Reply #1 Thursday, January 25, 2007 11:19 PM